Monthly Archives: June 2022

“The Singing Flame”: Destruction of public records.

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One hundred years ago, on 30 June 1922, the Four Courts building in Dublin was bombed and thousands of government records were destroyed in the blast. Ever since, historians have rued the extensive devastation of valuable source material which the current Irish project Beyond 2020 seeks to remedy. Ernie O’Malley in his book, The Singing Flame, described the carnage: ‘Flame sang and conducted its own orchestra simultaneously’. Staunch Republican O’Malley who reported directly to Michael Collins and Richard Mulcahy during … Continue reading

Hugh Irvine: bootmaker and storekeeper extraordinaire.

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Many moons ago I tentatively knocked on the door of Ian Irvine, a second cousin of my dad’s. The door opened with a welcome and I fought back a lump in my throat, as gentle speaking Ian reminded me so much of my deceased father. Ian was my introduction to many in this family and I dedicate this story to now deceased Ian, Lex and Amelia; grandchildren of Hugh Irvine. I am grateful I spent many hours with them in … Continue reading

The Marmadukes.

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What’s in a name? In my quest to track down ancestors, I have always concentrated on using the last name as a searching term. I never thought the first name would be useful. However, because first names are often passed down through generation after generation, I have discovered that they may provide a clue to finding missing ancestors, particularly if you have come to a dead end. For years I have struggled to find any records of my Bell ancestors … Continue reading

Finding Margaret.

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Meet the culprit…the source of so much angst and hours of trolling, delving up hill and down dale through mountains of paperwork and never-ending websites. Searching… searching… and more searching. Sleepless nights of wondering… just where did my Maggie go? Come on Aunt, show yourself… you know… the ‘real’ you. The tricky, cheeky, and suddenly evaporated Margaret Waters. The elusive entity, crossed between the wonderful family loving young woman and femme de frustration. A Croake to a Keogh! Now, meet … Continue reading